VOC separation using immobilized liquid membranes impregnated with oils

The separation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene, carbontetrachloride and methanol from their binary mixtures with N-2 was investigated using immobilized liquid membranes (ILMs). A flat sheet hydrophilic microporous cellulose acetate was used as a support material and vegetable and lubricant oils were used as membrane liquids. The separation performances of the membranes were studied at 25, 50, 75 and 100 kPa feed pressures above the atmospheric pressure. From the results obtained, it can be said that long term stabilities, high VOC separation performances and cheap and straightforward supply can make oils an alternative candidate to expensive ionic liquids for VOC separation/recovery-applications. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.